How to Prune St. John's Wort?

(Hypericum × inodorum)

St. John's Wort, also known as Tall tutsan

A hardy and low-maintenance perennial known for its bright yellow flowers and medicinal properties, st. John's Wort benefits greatly from proper pruning. Key techniques include cutting back by one-third in early spring or late winter to promote bushier growth and increase flower production. Regular deadheading of spent blooms enhances plant vigor. Pruning after flowering maintains shape and prevents self-seeding, which can lead to unwanted spread.

What Are the Benefits of Pruning St. John's Wort?

Pruning st. John's Wort encourages vigorous growth and helps maintain its desired shape. By selectively cutting back overgrown branches, gardeners can promote a more robust framework, leading to a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing specimen.

What Is the Best Time for Pruning St. John's Wort?

Spring

Winter

Late winter and early spring are the best times for pruning st. John's Wort because during these periods, the plant is generally dormant, which minimizes stress and promotes vigorous growth when the growing season begins. Pruning in late winter allows gardeners to remove any damage from winter freezes before new growth starts. Early spring pruning, before the onset of new growth, ensures that the plant's energy is directed into producing new, healthy shoots and flowers. Additionally, since st. John's Wort flowers on new wood, cutting back at this time will not affect the bloom performance. Pruning later than early spring is not recommended as it may remove new growth and developing flower buds, leading to diminished flowering. These seasons help maintain the plant's shape, control its size, and encourage the development of a strong framework for the plant's health and flower display later in the season.

Identify plants and enhance your pruning skills

Want your plants to thrive? Check out expert tips on pruning timing, techniques, and care to confidently tackle any gardening challenge!

Download the App for Free

What Tools Do I Need to Prune St. John's Wort?

Bypass Pruners

For making clean cuts on live wood without crushing stems, bypass pruners are ideal for st. John's Wort. The precise blades can handle the fine work of deadheading and shaping.

Lopping Shears

St. John's Wort may require the removal of thicker branches as it matures. Lopping shears will provide the leverage necessary for cutting branches up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Pruning Saws

If st. John's Wort has developed very thick, woody stems, a pruning saw may be necessary. This tool allows gardeners to saw through wood too thick for loppers.

Gardening Gloves

Protective gloves are essential to keep hands safe from thorns and rough bark while pruning st. John's Wort.

Disinfectant

To prevent the spread of disease, it’s important to clean the blades of cutting tools before and after use on st. John's Wort. A disinfectant spray or alcohol wipes will suffice.

How to Prune St. John's Wort

Identify

Inspect st. John's Wort thoroughly for signs of diseased leaves, withered leaves, dead branches, and diseased branches that require removal.

Sanitize

Clean and sanitize pruning tools to prevent the spread of disease when trimming st. John's Wort.

Diseased withered

Carefully remove diseased and withered leaves from st. John's Wort by snipping them at their base, taking care not to harm healthy tissue.

Dead branches

Prune dead and diseased branches on st. John's Wort by cutting them back to the nearest healthy branch intersection or node, ensuring clean cuts to promote healing.

Shaping

After removing all unhealthy parts, lightly shape st. John's Wort by trimming branches to maintain its natural form while enhancing airflow and light penetration.

Discover your plant's ideal water intake

Use our calculator to find out how much water your plants need for optimal health.

Download the App for Free

Common Pruning Mistakes with St. John's Wort

Over-pruning

Cutting back too much of st. John's Wort's foliage at once can limit its ability to photosynthesize and rebound, leading to stunted growth or a weakened state that makes the plant prone to diseases and pests.

Blunt or dirty tools

Using blunt or unclean pruning tools can damage st. John's Wort's stems, creating jagged cuts that are more susceptible to infection and do not heal as quickly.

Improper cut placement

Cutting too close or too far from the bud can hinder st. John's Wort's ability to heal and may prevent new growth from emerging correctly.

Ignoring disease prevention

Failure to remove diseased, dead, or damaged branches from st. John's Wort contributes to the spread of disease and reduces the plant’s overall health.

Pruning too early or late

Removing growth at the wrong time can remove potential flowers or expose new growth to harsh conditions.

Neglecting shape and size

Not considering the desired shape and size of st. John's Wort when pruning can lead to an unsightly or uncontrolled plant form.

Common Pruning Tips for St. John's Wort

Proper tool selection

Use sharp, clean bypass pruners or loppers for st. John's Wort to ensure clean, precise cuts that encourage proper healing and reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Cutting technique

Make your pruning cuts at a 45-degree angle about 1/4 inch above a bud that is facing outward, which encourages st. John's Wort to grow in a more open and attractive shape.

Thinning out

Thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation, which will reduce the likelihood of disease and allow light to reach the inner parts of st. John's Wort, promoting consistent blooming and healthy growth.

Removal of old wood

Remove older, non-productive stems of st. John's Wort to stimulate new growth that is more vigorous and capable of producing abundant flowers.

Judicious cuts

Prune st. John's Wort strategically to maintain its natural shape, focusing on cutting back stems that are crossing, rubbing, or growing inward to create a well-balanced framework.

Post-pruning care

After pruning, provide st. John's Wort with adequate water and nutrients to help with recovery and encourage vigorous new growth.